BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  SB 576
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   June 28, 2000

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS 
                              Carole Migden, Chairwoman

                   SB 576 (McPherson) - As Amended:  May 31, 2000 

          Policy Committee:                              Higher  
          EducationVote:12-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires the California Postsecondary Education  
          Commission (CPEC) to prepare a long-term strategic plan for  
          foreign language development and  teaching in California.  The  
          report is due by January 1, 2002 to the governor, the  
          Legislature, and the Chancellors of the University of  
          California, the California State University, and the California  
          Community Colleges.

          The bill specifies that the study shall include: 1) an  
          evaluation of existing resources and programs in foreign  
          language instruction, and 2) recommendations for future  
          collaboration between private and public institutions to develop  
          language learning.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Appropriates $90,000 in 2000-01 from the GF (non-Prop 98) to  
          CPEC to prepare the study.   The bill requires CPEC to obtain a  
          matching fund of $50,000 from private sources.  The bill also  
          requires CPEC to use at least $20,000 of private funds to  
          contract with the Center for intensive Language and Culture,  
          located in the City of Monterey.

           COMMENTS  

           Purpose  . The author contends the need for advanced language  
          instruction in California is growing rapidly, because one in  
          three California residents speak a language other than English.   
          The development of a strategic plan would help coordinate the  
          efforts of California's colleges, universities, K-12 schools, as  








                                                                  SB 576
                                                                  Page  2

          well as various private nonprofit organizations and  
          institutions, in teaching non-English language development.   
          Furthermore, this measure would forge a public/private  
          partnership by requiring that funds be received from private  
          sector prior to CPEC expending any state resources.


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jai Sookprasert / APPR. / (916)319-2081